Good communication saves woman

A friend staying at the Tampa home was rescued from the early morning fire, but a family pet did not survive.

By BEN MONTGOMERY
Published June 17, 2006

Firefighters rescued an unconscious woman from an early morning fire in the Forest Hills area of north Tampa.

The fire, which started in a utility room around 4 a.m., caused approximately $200,000 in damage to the single-story house and $40,000 in damage to several automobiles, according to Capt. Bill Wade.

Olivia Rocamora, 49, her companion Raul Estrada, 48, and her infant daughter woke and exited the house unharmed after hearing glass breaking and seeing flames, Wade said. As fire crews battled the flames, Rocamora called her daughter, who also lived in the home, and learned that a friend of the daughter was sleeping inside the house.

Firefighters found Talia West, 22, unconscious in the bathroom. She was treated at the scene by Tampa Fire Rescue paramedics and taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in serious condition due to smoke inhalation, Wade said.

The blaze was under control by 5 a.m. and no other injuries were reported. Yafee, the family's cat, was found dead inside the house.

Investigators said the accidental fire appeared to have been cause due to an appliance in the utility room.